Pepperwort (Lepidium campestre)

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Lepidium campestre is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). It is in flower from May to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Occasionally flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

flavour, they can be finely-chopped and added in small amounts as a flavouring in salads. — Young leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked.; They are best used in the spring.; A hot cress-like flavour, they can be finely-chopped and added in small amounts as a flavouring in salads.; Immature seedpods - a pungent flavour, they can be used as a flavouring in hot soups and stews.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry pastures, walls, banks, waysides, arable and waste land. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)